Folding table.



H. A. STONE.

FOLDING TABLE,

' APPLICATION FILED OCT. 20,1913- RENEWED IAN-20,19]?- 1339 136.,PatentedSept. 4, 1917.

3 SHEETS-SHEET l.

H. A. STONE.

FOLDING TABLE.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 20. 1913. RENEWED JAN. 20, 1917.

1 5339 138, PatentedSept. 4, 1917'.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2- w i/bweoom al bofnwtg H. A. STONE.

FOLDING TABLE. APPLICATION FILED OCT. 20. I913. RENEWED JAN. 20,1917- 1,239, 1 36 Patented Sept. 4, 1917;

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

UNTTED stares rarer r onnron I HARRY A. STONE, OF PI-IILAIDELPHIA,PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO FOLDING- STAND COMPANY, INC., OF NEW YORK, N."EL, A CORPORATION NEW YORK.

rotnrne TABLE.

Patented Sept. a, fart.

Application filed October 20, 1913, Serial No. 796,288. Renewed January20, 1917. Serial No. 143,506.

To all whom it may concern: 1

Be it known that I, HARRY A. STONE, a citizen of the UnitedfStates,residing at Philadelphia, county of Philadelphia, and State ofPennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Folding Tables, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to folding tables.

The present invention is an improvement on the folding table of myPatent No. 1,065,476, dated June 2st, 1913; and my applications SerialNos. 753,374, filed March 10, 1 913, and 75i,322, filed March 14,1913.

The present invention has for its object the provision, in a portabletable or stand, particularly adapted to support a typewriter, and of thegeneral type set forth in my aforesaid patent and applications; first,improved braces and joints for sustaining the foldable arms from thelegs, whereby accidental collapsing of said parts is prevented andgreater strength and durability, at less expense of constructiomisobtained; second, improved joints for the braces which connect thefoldable legs together, whereby the said braces are strengthened attheir joints and their construction is cheapened and simplified; third,an improvedfoldable extension leaf whose articulated parts are combinedtogether in an improved manner and, further, which. has improved meansfor holding sheets of paper; fourth, an extension leaf combined with thearms of the foldable top in an improved manner, where by the folding andextension movements of the leaf are limitedby stop devices, and, stillfurther, to provide, in combination with thefoldable extension leaf andthe foldable arms of thetable top, securing or retaining means by whichthe folded leaf is retained so that it cannot accidentally be comedetached when the entire table is folded or collapsed and, further,enabling the leaf to be retained in folded condition when its use is notnecessary or desired.

With the foregoing, and other not specifically mentioned, objects inView, the invention consists, first, in the improved armsupportingbraces and joints; second, the improved joints for the braces connectingthe legs; third, in theconstruction of the foldable leaf and its paperclips or holders; fourth, inthe manner in which the extension leaf iscombined with the arms as re gards the stop devices; fifth, in the combination of the retaining devices with the arms and with the extensionleaf to hold the latter in collapsed condition against or in relation tosaid arms.

I have set forth fully hereinafter certain preferred embodiments of thedifferent features of the invention, but such disclosure is to beconsidered as illustrative, rather than restrictive, of the scope of theinven tion, and I lay claim to all modifications falling Within thespirit and scope of my lnvention.

In the accoi'npanying drawings:

Figure l is a perspective of the complete table when in condition foruse, the extension leaf being folded and retained on the arm;

i Fig. 2, a plan view showing the table top and the extension leaf, thelatter being in extended position, as when ready for use;

Fig. 3, a side elevation of the complete table when folded;

Fig. 4, a detail side elevation showing one of the foldable arms, theimproved foldable supporting brace therefor in full lines in supportingposition and in dotted lines when starting to fold also showing one ofthelegs and a part of the extension leaf, the latter being in foldedposition;

Fig. 5, a detailview, partly in section, showing the joint between anarm and the center member;

Fig. 6, a detail showing the joint of one of the leg braces and alsoillustrating certain joints of the extension leaf;

Fig. 7, a detail of a modified joint for the arm and leg braces;

Fig. 8, a detail perspective of a modified stop and retainer means forthe extension leaf and modified brace for the arm;

Fig. 9, a detail of the modified retainer of Fig. 8;

Fig. 10, a plan view of a modified connection for the extension leaf ofFig. 2; and

Fig. 11, a plan view of the extension leaf of Fig. 8, when extended.

The legs 1 may be of any usual or preferred construction, but arepreferably made in telescopic sections, and in the nature ofthe usualtripod. They are jointed at 2 to ahead or center member 3 and may betelescoped and folded together, as shown in Fig. 3. To rigidly brace thelegs, I preferably employ the ointed braces 4 which are adapted tocollapse when the table is folded, as shown in Fig. 3.

The joints 5 of the braces 4 are preferably formed by pivots 6 (Fig. 6)and one of the brace members has an angled part or'lip 7 adapted tooverlap the other brace member. Thelength of this flange or lip 7afiords'a long and firm engagement of the brace members and preventsweakening by notehing or cutting the parts and lessens the expense ofproviding a pin and notch construction such as shown in Fig. 7 and whichis used in the table of my pending application, Serial. No. 7 54322,filed March 14, 1913, but the construction shown in Fig. 7 may besubstituted for the above-described lip construction 7 without affectingthe operation of the arm bracesto be described presently, and I do notlimit myself, except where so stated in the claims, to the lip 7 incombination with the arm braces and the extension leaf.

Preferably, the braces 4 are pivoted to clamp fittings or members 8which surround the legs 1 and are frictionally clamped thereon by thetightening screw 9; the pivotal connections between the braces and theclamp members 8 are shown at 10.

The head or center 3 may be circular or polygonal and has formedintegral therewith and projecting radially therefrom, a

plurality of lugs 11 (Fig. 5) said lugs having fiat sides and theirupper faces being a little below the upper surface of the head 3.

The arms constituting the skeleton, foldable top, which are shown at 12,are angular in cross section for sake of lightness without sacrificingstrength, but they may be of the channel form shown in my applicationSerial No. 754,322. The arms are provided with ears 13 which straddlethe lugs 11 and lie against the sides thereof, the top of each arm beingadapted to rest on the lug 11 and its inner end to bear against theshoulder 14 on the head, as shown in Fig. 5. Thus, as with the armsshown in my co-pending application, Serial No. 754,322, the arm isbraced at its joint and the lateral and vertical strain removed from thepivot 15 which passes through the cars 13 and the lug 11.

Secured to or cast integral with the arms are the elongated cups 16which are adapted to receive the legs or feet of the typewriter or othermachine or object which is to be supported by the table.

The upper sections of the legs 1, in addition to carrying the clampfittings or members 8, also carry clamp brackets 17 which areheldfrictionally by screws 18*. One of these fittings or brackets 17serves for the braces running to two of the arms 12, the remainingfittings 17 serving as pivotal connectors for the braces of theremaining two arms. All of the brackets 17 have lugs 19 and to theselugs are pivoted the improved 23, said lugs being formed on the outerends of the arms 12. The sections 20, 21, are pivoted together at 24 andone of the sections 20, 21, is provided with an extension 25 which has afiangeor lip. 26 adapted to overlap the edge of the other section toforma lock joint. The general construction of the lock joint is that shownin Fig. 6, which is employed on the braces 4, but, differing from theconstruction of Fig. 6, the extension 25 is arranged in offset orangular relation to the section 20 and in consequence, when the lip v26lies against the section 21, as shown in Figs. 1 and 4, the sections 20and 21 are disposed angularly to each'other, that is, bowed outwardly,away from a line connecting the pivotal points 18 and 22. The sameresultmay be accomplished in other ways and I do not limit myself to theprecise construction shown for accomplishing this purpose except wherestated in the claims. The purpose of this construction is to preventaccidental breaking of the joint between the parts 20 and 21 due to anypressure of the object supported by the arms 12 orto any vibrationresulting from the use of a typewriteror other similar machine or devicewhich the table may be used to support. When the brace 20, 21 is movedfrom the full line to the dotted line position shown in Fig. 4, the arm12 is slightly raised and to compensate therefor a slight space 27 (Fig.5) may be providedbetween the end of the arm 12 and the shoulder 14 onhead 3. To all intents and purposes,

however, there is a substantial engagement of the shoulder 14 and theinner end of the arm to assist in relieving the pivot 15 from strain.When the joint is broken, as shown by dotted lines in Fig. 4, the arm 12can be folded downwardlyv and, the joints of the braces 4 having beenbroken upwardly, the entire table can be collapsed to assume the formshown in Fig. 3, the lower telescopic sections of the leg 1 having beenpushed into the upper sections thereof.

Referring more particularly to Figs. 1 and 2, the cups 16 of two of thearms 12 are situated inwardly from the extensions 28 which are providedon said arms, the said extensions'each having a stop pin 29. Theextension leaf which is shown in extended. position in Fig.2, is pivotedto the extensions 28 at 30 and is provided with spring paper holdingfingers or clips 31 at its pivoted ends. The outer ends of these clipsare slightly turned up to facilitate the paper being slipped thereunder.The clips bind the paper to the extension leaf. The extension leaf iscomposed of inner sections 32 which are curved at 33 so that they willfit around the cups 16 when they are folded, assliown inFigs. land 4 andto these sections 82 are pivoted at '34 other jointed sections composedof the parts 35 and -36. The pivots 34 also pivotally carry the freelyprojecting members 37. Thesections 35 are provided with lips or flanges38which are adapted to overlap and engage the sections 32 substantially.in the manner shown in Fig. 6 when the leaf is extended, but which donot interfere with the folding of the leaf. The sections 35 and Marcpivoted together at 39. The sections 86 may have additional joints 40and lips 41 and one of these sections is provided with a button 42 whoseshank is adapted to be straddled by the bifurcated end 43 of the othersection 36, thus providing a detachable connectionbetween the two partswhich constitute the leaf. By referring to Fig. 1, it will be seen thatthe leaf folds upon two of the arms 12, such folding being accomplishedby folding the parts 86, 35 and 37 upon thesection 32 in each instanceand then folding the. complete half of the leaf around on top of the arm12, as shown in Figs. land 4. To retain the leaf when folded, I provideon each arm 12 a retainer 44 which may be permanently carried by the armas shown in Fig. 2, or may be a separate spring clip 44, Figs. '8 and 9,adapted to be snappeddown overthe folded leaf and to engage the sides ofthe arm. when carried by the arm, as shown in Fig.

2, this retainer 44 consists of a U-shaped member whose cross pieceextends through a reduced part 45 of the arm and whose free parts areadapted to either lie in recesses or channels 46 on opposite sides ofthe reduced part 45, or, be turned upwardly (Figs. 1 and 4) to straddlethe folded leaf. When folding the leaf, the retainer 44 will be in itslowered position and it will then be raised and engage the sides of thefolded leaf frictionally, whereby the folded leaf is retained on top ofthe arm 12 when it is not wanted or preparatory to collapsing the entiretable.

When the leaf is extended, the stops 29 maintain it in proper positionand when it is folded, the cups 16, combined with the retainers 44, holdit there. In Fig. 8 I have shown the leaf as having its inner endpivoted at 47 within the bottom of the cup 16 and the part 32 extendingthrdugh a slot 48 in the side of the cup, the ends of this slotconstituting stops to limit the play of the leaf when extended orfolded. In this particular construction, I have shown the leaf 32 andthe arm brace 21 as provided with the joint appearing in Fig. 7. Thistype of arm brace 21 may have a slot and pin connection 21 to permitplay when fold mg.

Fig. 10 represents a foldable leaf similar to that shown in Fig. 2except that in place of the detachable connection 42, 43, the arms 36are permanently pivoted together at 49 and there is but one permanentpivotal connection 80, the other 30 being merely a pin to receive theeye 50 011 the member 32. Instead of the leaf being foldable onto twoarms 12, the entire leaf is adapted to fold onto but one arm 12. I

ln Fig. 11, I have shown the leaf, of which one part appears in Fig. 8,in extended position. Here the leaf 18 provided with a detachableconnection 42, 43 similar to the connection 42, 43, in Fig. 2. As withthe construction shown in Fig. 2. one- .half of the leaf folds onto oneof the arms 12 and the other half onto the adjoining arm 12.

When the stand or table is in the condition shown in Fig. 1, any weight,such as that of atypewriter, applied on the arms 12 tends to tighten thejoint 24, 25, 26 (Fig. 4) and to keep it closed and it is impossible forthe-braces 20, 21 to accidentally break at the joint, but such breakingaction may be obtained by pushing in the joint to the position shownindotted lines, Fig. 4, whereupon the rms may be folded and the legsbrought together into the position shown in Fig. 3. If the leaf isextended, its parts will be folded onto the arms before the latter arelowered.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a folding table, the combination with a head or center member, offoldable supporting legs pivotally connected thereto, a table topcomposed of foldable armsjointed to the head and adapted to foldalongside the legs and independent foldable braces for each arm composedof sections pivoted to the respective arms and legs and connected by ajoint which is adapted to hold the sections in angular relation to eachother when extended, said braces being arranged to fold along an outerside of the respective arms to permit the arms to fold close to thelegs.

2. In a folding table, the combination with foldable supporting legsarranged as a tripod, of foldable arms constituting a fold able tabletop, and independent braces interposed between the respective legs andarms, composed of jointed members or parts, one of which has a stopoverlapping and engaging the other part of the brace, said braces beingarranged to fold along an outer side of the respective arms to permitthe arms to fold close to the legs.

3. In a folding table, the combination with an arm forming part of thetable top thereof, of an extension leaf composed of articulated sectionsadapted to fold upon said arm, and a movable retainer carried by saidarm which is adapted to be engaged with the extension leaf to hold itupon the arm when the sections of said leaf are folded. I

4:. In a folding :table, the combination with an arm forming part of thetable top thereof, of a U-shaped retainer carried by the arm and adaptedto swing in relation thereto, and an extension leaf adapted to fold uponsaid arm and to'be held by said U-shaped retainer when folded.

5. In a folding table, the combination with the top thereof comprisingfoldable arms, of a two-part extension leaf whose parts are pivoted totwo of said arms, said parts being adapted to fold on said arms, andstops on the arms adapted to cooperate with the parts of said extensionleaf to limit its position when extended.

6. In a folding table, the combination with the top thereof comprisingfoldable arms, of an extension leaf which is pivoted to said arms and isadapted to fold on them, and independent stops on the table top whichare adapted to limit the play of the extension leaf when either extendedor folded in relation to said top. i

7. In a folding table, the combination with a table top havingfoldable-arms, of an extension leaf bridging and connected to saidfoldable arms and constituting a connection between them, said leafbeingcomposed of articulated sections and having a detachable jointpermitting folding ofsaid sections.

8. In a folding table, the combination with the top thereof, of anextension leaf comprising two groups of relatively foldable jointedsections, the respective groups being, as a unit, jointed to andindependently foldable on diiferent parts .of the table top or adaptedtorbeexten'd ed so that the sections of the respective groupscollectively constitute an extension leaf for the table top, andconnectingineans for fastening the two groups together when extended.

9. In afolding table, the combination with a table top having foldablearms, of an extension leaf comprising-two groups of relatively foldable"jointed sections, the respective groups being, as a unit,bodily jointedto and carried by said arms and having a detachable joint connecting:them together, whereby said groups may be independently folded on therespective-arms of the top, or, extended and fastened together toconstitute an extension leaf which extendsfrom one arm to the other. a

In testimony whereof, I hereunto affix my signature in presence of twowitnesses.

HARRY A. STONE.

Witnesses:'

EDWARD RAHMING, ISRAEL M. "MARKS.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Iatents.

Washington, D. 0.

